Iowa Football: Preview the Hawkeyes vs. Missouri Tigers in the Music City Bowl

The Iowa Hawkeyes have just one game left in the 2024 season, which is Monday, December 30th in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. There the Hawkeyes meet our friends in the south, the Missouri Tigers.

In the words of the wise and wise Big Tom Callahan: You can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking your head in a bull’s rump, but wouldn’t you rather take the butcher’s word for that leave?

So instead of sticking our head up anyone’s ass, let’s ask our friends at Rock M Nation for their thoughts on the Mizzou Tigers. RMN’s Sammy Stava joined us this week to talk all things Missouri. Here’s a look at our conversation.

BHGP: Let’s start at a high level. Iowa and Missouri rarely face each other (the last meeting was in 2010 after a 100-year hiatus), and while not much is changing in Iowa City, something is certainly changing in the rest of the world. What should Hawkeye fans know about head coach Eli Drinkwitz, his philosophy and what he was able to accomplish with the Mizzou program during his five years in Columbia?

RMN: There’s a lot to like about head coach Eli Drinkwitz. He is a program developer and is currently recruiting at a high level for Mizzou’s standards. His philosophy is that of an offensive-minded head coach, and while his style of play is questionable at times, you can’t argue with the results on the field. Yes, missing the College Football Playoff was a disappointment for this team, but if Mizzou wins this Music City Bowl, the program will have achieved back-to-back ten-win seasons for the third time in program history and the second time since 2013-2014. He’s building something special here, and while it’s taken him a little time to get there, he’s certainly the right man for the Mizzou job as of now.

BHGP: The Tigers under Drinkwitz have typically been in a place Iowa fans could only dream of. That year, Mizzou ranked 60th in total offense with approximately 391 yards per game (220 passing and 171 rushing yards per game) while scoring 29.1 points per game. While QB Brady Cook led the way in yardage, most of the scoring came on the ground, led by 12 touchdowns from RB Marcus Carroll. How do you think the Tigers will attack Iowa’s defense on Monday and what names should Iowa fans become familiar with on the offensive side of the ball?

RMN: Missouri’s identity on offense lies in dictating the football. In two of five seasons under Eli Drinkwitz, they had the SEC’s leading rusher. They didn’t have that this year, but they have a lot of depth at the running back position in Marcus Carroll, as you mentioned, plus Nate Noel and Jamal Roberts are other key contributors. With Luther Burden III declaring for the NFL Draft, look for Theo Wease Jr. at the WR position – who has been Mizzou’s most consistent receiver this season. He will want to emerge victorious from his final college game alongside Cook.

BHGP: Defensively, the Tigers have been strong this year, ranking 20th in total defense with 319 yards given up per game (186 passing and 134 rushing yards allowed per game) while allowing just 20.1 points per game allowed. It’s no secret that Iowa will look to hit the rocks and expand the rushing attack with the passing game. What can we expect from Missouri in terms of base defense, how do you think they will approach this matchup and who are the names to know at all three levels on Monday?

RMN: With Brendan Sullivan returning from injury, I think the defensive plan will make him uncomfortable in a lot of blitzes. Defensively, look for Zion Young on the line – as Iowa fans may know him from his time at Michigan State. At the linebacker position, Miami transfer Corey Flagg Jr. had a productive season. While the secondary has struggled at times, Clemson transfers — safety Joseph Charleston and cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. — can have big days.

BHGP: OK, yes, there is a game on Monday, but it’s safe to say that a lot of fan (and perhaps coaching staff?) attention has been drawn to the portal. The Tigers have secured two top portal targets with Iowa reportedly going second, including Penn State QB Beau Pribula in a NIL package worth $1.5 million. First of all, “What the fuck, man?” And next: How does the Missouri fan base feel about the new college football landscape and how do you think the Tigers will regularly perform in that world?

RMN: There is no offseason in college football. After the end of the regular season, it’s basically all about NIL and the transfer portal for the teams not in the College Football Playoff. Missouri desperately needed a transfer QB out of the portal and landed on Beau Pribula. While I haven’t seen much of Pribula as a backup to Drew Allar, Penn State’s coaches are raving about him – and he seems like a “locker room” guy. The $1.5 million NIL deal is quite a commitment, so let’s see how it turns out. I’m fascinated.

I also think the Missouri fan base agrees with the NIL. This program is currently very popular and Drinkwitz is taking advantage of Missouri’s NIL law when recruiting in the state. It wasn’t all good, however, as they recently lost former five-star Williams Nwaneri in the transfer portal to Nebraska. But this is college football now, it is what it is.

BHGP: Okay, back to the game. Mizzou leads this game with an over/under of 40.5 total points. How do you see the outcome of this game and what is your final result prediction for Monday?

RMN: This should be a good game. Music City is the only bowl game on Monday and Nashville is a good destination for Mizzou and Iowa fans. Bowl games usually come down to who wants more, and I think the Tigers have enough to edge out the Hawkeyes in a close game. 24-20.

So there you have it – a disappointing end to the 2024 football season for the Hawkeyes. We hope Sammy is wrong.

Thanks again to Sammy Stava from Rock M Nation for taking the time to answer our questions and give us the inside scoop on the Missouri Tigers. Be sure to check out Rock M before Monday’s match for coverage of the game, including my answers to their questions about the Hawkeyes.